operation take up spACE
CHANGE STARTS WITH YOU
As we anticipate the next four years to be marked with chaos and uncertainty, its important to come together, support one another, and take collective action.
This is not the time to retreat into the shadows, or shy away from your power. This is the time to step into your authenticity, and unapologetically speak your truth.
When oppression knocks at the door, we have seen our previous civil rights leaders answer the call. From Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Archbishop Desmun Tutu, the Dali Lama, and many others, all have taken grounded action, set boundaries, and ensured that their voices (and the voices of those that they advocated for) were heard.
They stood up, stood strong, and took up space. Now, we will humbly follow in their footsteps as we rise and stand on the shoulders of the great leaders that have come before us.
wHat happened?
One thing that is true across the board for the majority of those who voted who Trump is that this is a group of people who felt like they were not being heard, and believed that Trump would hear them and make their lives better.
At this point, you have to understand what your role in this process is. Your job is not to go after those who voted for Trump or try to explain to them your point of view. They are not in a position to receive what you are saying. Rather, what you have to do is a take a hard look within.
WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK?
Of all the variables right now, you have to identify the ones that you actually have control over, and that list will likely be a short one. What are the things that YOU could actually work on at this point?
If you are feeling sad, dejected, demoralized, scared, etc, what would you have to believe to be true to feel that way?
For many, you would have to believe that you are not powerful, that you are not strong, or that you are not allowed to take up space. You may also feel that you are not loved, supported, or not even worthy of such things.
The compound effects of these limiting beliefs creates a cycle that keeps us in a weakened state of fear, frustration, or hopelessness.
take action
You Are Powerful
We are seeing is a rise in misogynistic behavior, with some men believing that they are now in control of women and their bodies.
This is an interesting social proposition, and I’ll tell you why. When someone is trying to gain power, they have to create a plan to squash those who threaten their rise. Here, what we have overwhelmingly seen is that many Trump supporters have taken aim directly at women, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, and other minority groups.
Now, if those groups that Trumpers have taken aim at had no worth and no power, there would be no reason to take aim at them. Their efforts would be better off elsewhere. Yet, that is not the case. Trumpers efforts are seated squarely on these groups in an effort to make them feel powerless and defeated. Thus, it is because these groups are being targeted by Trumpers that we KNOW that they are powerful. Its time to remember how powerful you.
own it
The more you feel that you have a target on your back, the more you have to understand that this is a direct reflection of your power.
So instead of letting this target scare you into submission, use this energy to move you into becoming you best self.
What Trumpers are hoping you do is accept that they have power over you. They are hoping that they can beat you down, make you scared, and keep you weak. This is their only move, because they know that they are out gunned, and that their days are numbered.
I know that this may not be easy, its uncomfortable, and you may be feeling all the things right now. But if you are this powerful creature that Trumpers are so afraid of, its time to act. NOW.
it starts with you
There are a lot of different ways to reclaim your power, and you will have to pick the ones that work best for you and your circumstances…..but taking up space is great place to start.
Are you able to use your voice, speak your truth, and live to the highest expression of yourself? Are you able to speak up in that meeting, post to social media, and set firm and clear boundaries with others? Are you able to love and appreciate yourself so much that you unapologetically stand with your head held high as you grow into your most authentic self?
Can you commit to a plan to even making a 1% move in that direction every day?
If you can even move that incrementally towards this goal daily, the compounded effects will create an entirely new person within you. One with more strength, resolve, and love for yourself and those around you.
The hard road ahead starts with YOU.
make a choice
People tend to only change out of inspiration or desperation. And one thing that we certainly learned from Trump’s win is that much of the American public has still not suffered enough.
I always say that rock bottom is for everybody. If you are suffering and can’t seem to make a change, then I’m going to need for you to suffer a little more. In this way, you are now presented with a choice. You can decide if you are ready to make a move, or chose to stay where you are.
As an Army Veteran, I always referred to the COVID Pandemic as the “civilian’s deployment.” The pandemic was hard on all of us, but me and fellow Service Members had an edge. We were used to living in limiting conditions, without access to people/places/things, and many of us have had to endure the enormous loss of losing our beloved brothers and sisters in arms.
I can’t say that we enjoyed the pandemic, but we were certainly able to take it in stride in a way that some others may not have been able to. That being said, it may be wise to start thinking about these next four years as another deployment. Getting into the mindset that steady action must be taken every day to ensure that our democracy survives.
moving ahead
The Starfish and the Spider
If you’ve ever read The Starfish and the Spider by Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom, you’ll immediately understand our approach.
The premise of this book is that decentralized organizations that give a high degree of autonomy to their folks have the ability to be more resilient and adaptable with greater chances of success.
In traditional “hub and spoke” models, there is too much focus on the “hub.” This can delay information to the “spokes” and create bottlenecks when the “hub” doesn’t react fast enough.
According to Brafman and Beckstrom, a “Starfish” approach helps to create more independence in the “spokes,” allowing them more autonomy to make decisions and take action as needed. They use the analogy of the starfish here, as the starfish regrows its extremities once they have been cut off, thus allowing the entire organism to survive and carry on. This makes if much harder to kill the starfish, ensuring its longevity and success.
In this instance, we will be creating what I call a hybrid “hub and spoke” model to guide this movement into its best Starfish.
The Starfish
I will propose some core “spokes” that need to be added to keep this wheel turning, and opening it up to the group for feedback on the “spokes” they feel should be added.
From there, each owner, or “hub” of that spoke will create an action plan that we can add so that everyone can execute any “spoke” at anytime, as they wish.
Overtime, we’ll refine the “spokes” to make sure that we have all the building blocks that we need to be a strong, adaptable, and hardy movement that is robust and unyielding to adversity.
core spokes
What are the Core Spokes?
This model allows for flexibility and innovation in the spokes while still benefiting from the support of a central organizing structure.
These are the proposed spokes:
1) Find Your Voice
2) Take Up Space
3) Process Trauma
4) Post to Social Media
5) Build Partnerships
6) Consistent Radical Self Love
7) Set Boundaries
8) Make a Plan. Be Accountable.
keep going
Be Brave
prioritize self care
Plan events
Who is the person that you feel that is locked inside of you that is ready to come out?
How have you been hiding your light?
What is truly on your heart?
Can you give yourself permission to share your gifts with the world?
Rewrite your story and claim your freedom.
Plan events
prioritize self care
Plan events
Create events for folks to join and have fellowship with other minority groups that are usual targets.
Focus on RED counties, and commit to helping your peers in more rural spaces.
Be out in public, and loud about your rights
Buy apparel that shows your opinions and views.
Be YOU in your most authentic way.
prioritize self care
prioritize self care
prioritize self care
Take Care of Your Body
Exercise and eat nutritious foods
Find a Therapist
Learn how to process trauma through the body through yoga, breathwork, and other evidence based practices
collaboration is key
Tell Your Story
Speak your truth
Decide what you are good at and what sparks the most inspiration to you, and post about that.
Pick the “spoke” that speaks best to your experience, and post how you were able to Take Up Space, Set Boundaries, etc.
Everyone is good at something, and everyone has overcome some struggle in their lives. Tell everyone how you did it. Give them your map. Your story matters.
Use the hashtag #operationtakeupspace, and then add a hashtag for your city/state, and perhaps nearby towns that you would also like to target
o Example: #operationtakeupspace #chicago #chicagoIL #IL #auroraIL #arlingtonheightsIL #napervilleIL
o Add any other hashtags that are appropriate to your content, and if they relate to a specific spoke
reach out
Collaboration is key. Is there a local community leader that you can engage to help them advocate for you?
Is there a local business that you can partner with to host a fundraiser for local non-profit that supports a marginalized group?
Is there a church group that you can talk to about the importance of holding space and giving love and support to those who are negatively impacted by Trump’s policies?
During the first Trump presidency, I was part of an underground railroad of sorts run by a local Catholic priest who would help us feed, cloth, and provide supplies to immigrants who were being deported. Is that another partnership that could be made?
Don’t count any partnership out, you’ll be surprised who will come out of the woodwork to help others. Keep an eye out, connect the dots, and document what is happening.
If local law enforcement of other agencies are being hostile, document everything. Record your experience, post to social media, and send to your local news station.
ten toes in
You do not have to tolerate being treated poorly, gas lit, or abused. You cannot control other’s actions, but you can control your response to them.
When I know that I’m about to set a boundary, I tell the person that “when they did xx, I felt xx.” I do not ask a question. I simply state how I feel. From there, I’ll see what they say, and if there is change in their actions. If there is not a change in their actions, I may request a change, or I may move directly to changing my own actions.
Each situation is unique, and you will have to create the path the works best for you. Telling them how you feel may not be the best strategy for your specific situation, but you are always in control of how you respond. You can chose to engage, and you can chose to remove yourself from the situation.
Everyone is in charge of their own healing. Removing yourself from their circle may be what they need to finally understand the damage that they have caused.
Do not try to emotionally regulate them. Do not take away their opportunity to learn how to heal themselves.
Boundaries are beautiful in that way in that they allow you to move forward peacefully while allowing the other party the opportunity to walk their own healing journey (if they chose). So you can release them with love if you wish.
bring out your most authentic self
Be Consistent
Consistent Radical Self Love is Key.
There are enough demons running around in the world today, don’t let the ones in your head take you down.
Commit you taking these next four years to put yourself FIRST. To speaking kindly to yourself and your body.
Think about the person that you care about the most, and start treating yourself that way. When I see my partner starting to go down a rabbit hole of negative self talk, I tell him this: “I don’t like the way that you are treating my friend.”
This takes practice, but commit to a daily routine of self love and affirmations. You are truly powerful, take up space and act like it.
how can i do this?
Write down your plan
Create a daily routine. What should it include?
o Example:
5 minute gratitude practice twice a day (once when you wake up and once before bed)
Healthy Meals
Journaling
Exercise
Meditate
Get an accountability partner
o This could be a friend, spouse, or even if its just you. Create a checklist that you have to mark off everyday to keep yourself accountable
Celebrate the small victories. Do not make your plan too aggressive. And if you can’t help but make it aggressive, give yourself more TIME to complete it. This process is about celebrating your victories and not beating yourself for missing your mark.
Remember, you are aiming at a 1% improvement every day. That’s it. That adds up to 365% over the course of the year. So even if you fail most days, you could easily still be on track to be 100% better than you started. There is no upper limit on you power!
We are looking at the compounded affects of this plan, so take the first step, love yourself, and keep going.
what do you think?
Review what I’ve proposed and decide if you’ve got a spoke that you’d like to add!
You have a very unique skill set, its time to put it to good use.
Or do you have input on any of the above spokes?
Can you create social media posts, videos, blogs, etc to help show others how they can best complete that spoke?
You don’t have to do all the spokes, you can pick the ones that speak to you and leave the rest. But its important that we as a group are working what we can where we can.